FalconStocks' New Blog; The Only Family-Run, Unbiased Penny Stock Newsletter

U.S. equities traded mostly higher on Monday, led by utilities, following a slew of corporate news and the release of solid economic data, but an investigation into new Hillary Clinton emails kept investors on edge.

That said, Raymond James Chief Investment Strategist Jeffrey Saut said he still expects stocks to end the year at all-time highs. “Fundamentals have changed. GDP has come in better than expected and … earnings have improved,” he said. Saut added that stocks weren’t trading much more lower on Monday because Clinton is “still the odds-on-favorite” to win.

The U.S. economy grew 2.9 percent in the third quarter, according to Commerce Department data released Friday.

U.S. stock futures rose slightly before the bell, as investors parsed through corporate earnings, a merger announcement between Baker Hughes and General Electric, and economic data.

In economic news, consumer spending rose more than expected in September as households boosted purchases of motor vehicles and inflation increased steadily, which could bolster expectations of an interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve in December.

The Commerce Department said on Monday that consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity, increased 0.5 percent after a downwardly revised 0.1 percent drop in August.

U.S. stocks traded mixed on Tuesday as one of the busiest days of the earnings season got under way.

The Dow Jones industrial average traded slightly lower, with Procter & Gamble contributing the most gains to the tune of 20 points, but Home Depot shaved off approximately 20 points. The S&P 500 fell 0.1 percent, with consumer discretionary leading decliners. The Nasdaq composite held around breakeven.

More than 90 companies were scheduled to post quarterly results on Tuesday. Dow components 3M, Caterpillar and DuPont reported earnings before the bell. Caterpillar and 3M posted mixed results, as both beat estimates on the bottom line, while missing on revenues. Caterpillar also lowered its 2016 earnings per share guidance.

U.S. equities rose on Friday as investors parsed through quarterly results from several big banks and economic data.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose more than 150 points before holding about 110 points higher, with Goldman Sachs contributing the most gains. The S&amp;P 500 rose approximately 0.4 percent, with information technology and financials leading advancers.

The Nasdaq composite gained 0.4 percent.

JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Citigroup all posted better-than-expected quarterly results, beating estimates on both the top and bottom lines.

In economic news, U.S. retail sales rose 0.6 percent in September, matching expectations. Meanwhile, the Labor Department said its producer price index for final demand increased 0.3 percent after being unchanged in August.

Other data released Friday included business inventories, which rose 0.2 percent in August. Meanwhile, October consumer sentiment came in at 87.9, well below an estimate of 92, as concerns over the U.S. presidential election weighed.

Investors have been heavily scrutinizing U.S. economic data recently, trying to gauge the likelihood that the Federal Reserve raises interest rates later this year. According to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool, market expectations for a December rate hike are more than 60 percent.

The dollar rose 0.43 percent against a basket of currencies, with the euro near $1.099 and the yen around 104.18.

In oil markets, U.S. crude traded about 1 percent lower at $49.96 per barrel.

MONDAY – U.S. stocks traded lower on Monday, the first trading day of the fourth quarter, as investors digested key economic news and kept an eye on oil prices.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell about 100 points in midmorning trade before holding about 50 points lower, with UnitedHealth contributing the most losses. The S&P 500 fell 0.25 percent, with real estate and utilities leading decliners, as both fell 1 percent. The Nasdaq composite slid approximately 0.1 percent.

In economic news, the September Markit Manufacturing PMI came in at 51.5, a three-month low. “U.S. manufacturers signalled another moderate upturn in both production volumes and incoming new work during September, but the latest survey indicated a further loss of growth momentum from July’s recent peak,” Markit said.

The ISM Manufacturing index for September came in at 51.5, up from 49.4 in the previous month. Construction spending fell 0.7 percent in August, with analysts expecting a 0.2 percent increase.

THURSDAY – U.S. stocks traded lower Thursday as investors digested the European Central Bank’s latest monetary policy decision and remarks made by its president, Mario Draghi.

The Dow Jones industrial average traded about 60 points lower, with Apple contributing the most losses.

The ECB kept interest rates unchanged and did not announce an extension of its quantitative easing program. Draghi said in a news conference the central bank did not discuss an extension of said program, but added the program will run until the end of next March or beyond, if necessary.

U.S. stock futures traded mostly flat after the ECB announced its decision, before holding lower.

Investors have been closely eyeing each data set, looking for clues about whether the Fed will raise interest rates in September. Market expectations for a rate hike in September were 18 percent, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

TUESDAY – U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Tuesday, as investors remained watchful over the recovery in U.S. crude, ahead of important economic data.

For the U.S.’ first trading day of the week after Labor Day, oil is expected to keep investors abuzz after leading oil producers Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed on Monday to cooperate on stabilizing the energy market.

On the data front, the final Markit services PMI is due out at 9.45 a.m. ET, followed by the ISM non-manufacturing data, set to come out at 10 a.m. ET.

The data will be of key importance for the U.S., as investors look for indications as to how well the U.S. economy is performing. The data come just days after a disappointing jobs figure for the U.S. In August, nonfarm payrolls increased by 151,000, below what Wall Street economists were expecting of 180,000.

When it comes to earnings, Marvell Technology posted quarterly results before the bell Tuesday. Dave & Buster’s Entertainment and Casey’s General Stores are also expected to release their latest earnings.

THURSDAY – U.S. equities traded slightly higher Thursday, a day ahead of a key speech from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, and following the release of solid economic data.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose just 10 points, with Home Depot contributing the most losses. The S&P 500 rose about 0.15 percent, with materials leading. Investors also kept an eye on health care a day after posting its worst day since June 24.

The three major indexes have held in a tight range recently amid low trading volume and a lack of volatility. On Wednesday, the S&P recorded its 33rd straight session without a 1 percent move on a closing basis.

Stocks traded higher Monday, all three major indexes hitting new highs as investors kept an eye on oil prices and on the Federal Reserve.

The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ composite jumped above previous intraday highs of 2,188.45 and 5,238.54, respectively. The Dow Jones industrial average also posted a record high rising past its previous high of 18,638.34. These records were all set last week, despite the indexes posted slight weekly gains.

On the data front, the Empire State Manufacturing survey index fell five points to -4.2. Other data due Monday include the NAHB housing index, scheduled for release at 10 a.m. ET.